AIDS seminars for senior grades in secondary schools

Area of Science:

• Public Health Education
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Secondary school students require effective education on Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
• Assessing the impact and perceived usefulness of educational interventions is crucial for optimizing health promotion strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perceived usefulness of 70-minute AIDS seminars for students in grades 11-13.
• To determine the effectiveness of different seminar components (oral presentation, videotape, discussion) and facilitator types (teachers, public health nurses).

Main Methods:

• A 70-minute seminar including an oral presentation, videotape, and discussion was delivered to students.
• Questionnaires were completed by 1,898 students and 19 principals across 10 secondary schools.
• Facilitators included specially chosen teachers and public health nurses.

Main Results:

• Students and principals rated the seminars as highly valuable for acquiring new information.
• The oral presentation was the most valued component, with videotape and discussion also rated highly.
• Students reported increased understanding of STD prevention and awareness of community resources.
• A significantly higher proportion of female students expressed interest in attending future seminars compared to males.

Conclusions:

• The AIDS seminars were perceived as a valuable educational tool for secondary students, enhancing knowledge on STD prevention and resource awareness.
• Both teacher and public health nurse facilitators were effective in delivering the educational content.
• Further engagement in health education may be higher among female students.